Following Shohei Ohtani’s $700 Million Departure, Angels Eye Pitching Upgrades Amidst DH Position Dilemma

The Los Angeles Angels are currently in a tough spot of the 2023-24 offseason. They just lost their best designated hitter and pitcher, Shohei Ohtani, to the free agency market, leaving a space behind for not just one but two people to fill the spots. No matter how unacceptable the fact might seem, none of the prospects available in this year’s market are as adept as Shotime. Where does that leave the Halos?

Shohei Ohtani officially closed his free agency availability after securing a $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. That leaves the team no choice but to look for a prospective designated hitter and a pitcher to play for them long-term. Are they even remotely intent on replacing the Shohei Ohtani-shaped hole left behind by the mythical ace? Or are they being smart about their future financial and progressive investments?

How does the Halos plan on filling up the post left behind by Shohei Ohtani?

According to The Athletic columnist Ken Rosenthal, sources familiar with their plans indicate that the Angels, who have various needs in multiple areas, can pursue various directions. They might need to add some rotational position players in the future. But the team is “pretty much set” for now, Rosenthal believes.

They should not be too worried about Shohei Ohtani’s DH responsibilities, as they have sluggers like Anthony Rendon and Mike Trout to fill in that post when the time calls for it. What the Angels do need to sort out before the 2024 season begins is to secure a decent starting pitcher. And they are doing just that. 

But when it comes to pitching, there are little to no chances to see the Angels pursue a star-studded name, like, say, Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Blake Snell this offseason. The team has already been linked to the race to clinch the aces. However, given Angels’ current financial condition, it doesn’t seem very likely that they will be going after those two given their hefty nine-figure price tags.

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This leaves the Angels a place to look at other prospects and brings a certain question to mind.

What does the future pitching lineup of the Angels look like?

The team is reportedly refraining from pursuing any big names for their starting pitching posts, Rosenthal says. They are choosing to go after trade prospects with a year-long term under their helm instead. Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Guardians, Tyler Glasnow of the Tampa Bay Rays, and Corbin Burnes of the Milwaukee Brewers are some of their top targets.

They could also focus on getting one of their rotational pitchers in the lineup. Griffin Canning, Patrick Sandoval, Tyler Anderson, Chase Silseth, or Reid Detmers—none of their current choices of rotational pitchers come without a promising skill set.

If the Angels face challenges in securing a high-quality starting pitcher, they may opt to focus on bolstering their bullpen instead. Ideally, they aim to strengthen both areas of their pitching staff.

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